Teen Ink

The New Kid

I was lying on the beach and some hot guy was rubbing suntan lotion on my back. I tilted my face up towards the sun and soaked up the warm rays of the sun. I laced my fingers through the sand just staring at the small grains slipping through. I closed my eyes listening to the waves. I was listening so hard I noticed a sound that was out of place here. It was like a beeping noise. At first It was different then as the seconds ticked by it became louder and louder. I finally opened my eyes to find myself staring at my bedroom celling. I turned on my side and found the source of the beeping. My alarm clock.
“Damn clock!” I thought. I got up and walked toward my closet. I picked out the simplest but cutest outfit. I walked downstairs humming as I did so. My phone rang. I looked down at the caller ID and noticed it was Emily. Emily was my best friend since ninth grade.
“Hey Em!” I say.
“HI!” Emily said in her usual perky voice. “I was wondering if you could drive today.”
“Yeah, I’m leaving now, see you soon!” I replied.
“Kay thanks a bunch!” She answered. I ended the call and put my phone in my back pocket. I walked toward the kitchen a shuffled through the cabinets. I grabbed a granola bar and fished my book bag off the couch on my way out. I finally made to Emily’s house. I contemplated on getting out and knocking on the door but settled on just honking my horn. No sooner Emily and her mom walked out of the house. I rolled down my window as they got closer. I watched Emily shoot her mom daggers as she walked in front of my car. I giggled as I thought the saying “If looks could kill.” was way to accurate right now.
“Hi Mrs. Sense, How are you?” I asked.
“Pretty good, and you?” she replied. I smiled. I really love Mrs. Sense.
“Peachy!” I replied. She laughed.
“Well Autumn, I’m sorry you have to drive Emily to school. I told her I would drive her but miss stubborn over here insisted you would take her.” She teased. I caught Emily rolling her eyes while she got situated in my passenger seat.
“It’s all good Mrs. Sense. I don’t mind, really.” I joked back. I heard Emily grumble some very inappropriate words under her breath. I tried, unsuccessfully, not to smile.
“Mom, we have to go!” Emily Moaned
“Fine, fine. Have fun tonight girls!” Mrs. Sense chimes. I pull out their driveway and wave. I looked at Emily with accusing eyes she looks back with and innocent expression
“So what are we doing tonight that’s so fun?” I demanded. “I guessing it’s not our usual ‘Harry Potter’ marathon.” She laughs and quickly stops when I glare at her.
“We’re going to Taylor Mason’s party!” Emily screamed. She always has a loud voice when she excited about something.
“You can’t be serious! Em, we weren’t even invited.” I say close to hysteria. This is not going to be good, at all.
“Yes I am serious, Autumn!” Emily glares at me. “Look we never go to parties this is our chance!” I just stare at Emily in disbelief. I’m usually not a negative person but I seriously doubted that crashing Taylor Manson’s, the schools most popular girl in school and no doubt the biggest hoe, party.
“Emily this isn’t a good idea. I mean sure I want to be popular but I don’t think this is how it’s going happen.” I replied when I was finally able to speak. Emily sighed.
“Look I know you never got along with Taylor but let’s have some real fun for once!” She pleaded. “Promise if there’s any drama we’ll leave.” I looked at her. Her eyes were wide and her lips were put out in a pout. I sighed I was going to give in.
“Fine but when the first comment from Taylor is spoken we’re out of there. No if, ands, or buts about it.” I warned her. Emily jumped up and down in her seat and clapped her hands. It was my turn to roll my eyes. Emily reached out to turn on my car radio. She tweaked and turned till she came to Cat Country. A song started at that exact moment. Emily eyes got big all around.
“Red solo cup is the best receptacle for barbecues, tailgates, fairs, and festivals. And you sir do not have a pair of testicles if prefer drinking form glass.” Emily yelled in her loud singsong voice. I laughed and shook my head she joined shortly afterwards.
“Red solo cup, I fill you up let’s have a party!” We sang in unison. Both of us were laughing so hard by time we got to school. I pulled into the school parking lot and got out. I locked my door when Emily was by my side. We started toward the front double doors that held in the demons of the underworld, or the teachers. I opened the doors and stopped dead in the middle of the hallway. I felt Emily bump in to me but hardly acknowledged her. I saw the hottest guy ever. His hair was pitch black; it was in this messy style that only he could pull off. He wore straight black. And a nice leather jacket to top it all off. My eyes trailed down to his shoes and saw that he was wearing…..boots? Seriously boots? In San Francisco?
Well other than that little mishap he was HOT! And I mean HAWT! I knew I was staring like an idiot but I honestly couldn’t help myself.
“Damn.” I breathed. Emily tugged on my arm.
“C’mon Autumn, we have to go!” She beckoned. Right on time; the bell rang signaling us to start heading to first period. I tore my eyes from the freakishly hot guy and started walking toward first period. As soon I as I walked through the door I was attacked. Well, not physically more like verbally. I know, I should’ve seen it coming but my mind was in the gutter, so to speak.
“Hey look who it is. Autumn Wood, the only person in the world that has a fashion sense worse than her dog and her equally disgusting friend Emily Sense.” Taylor Mason sneered from her seat. Her seat was directly in front of the door. Honestly I think she sits there just to insult everyone that walks through the door.
“Wow, Taylor you make everyone feel so welcome. No wonder Mr. Winston assigned you door manager!” I say like my light bulb finally clicked. I swore I even saw her evil minion snigger at my comeback, well until Taylor shot them a killer look. She shot me the same look and turned away from me. Emily turned toward me
“Soon that girl’s face is going to get stuck in that ugly sneer.” Emily joked half-heartedly. This time I didn’t laugh.
“Em do you really think this is a good idea?” I asked concerned. Emily’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Come on Autumn! Taylor is a cold-hearted hag from hell.” She ranted. I smiled.
“If she’s cold-hearted wouldn’t she freeze hell?” I retorted. Emily giggled.
“I said cold-hearted not the fricken Ice queen. Though I won’t disagree with that one.” Emily reasoned. “So are we still going?” She asks. She put I her pleading face again.
“Yeah, I guess we are.” I sighed. “Just don’t make me regret this.”
“I won’t I promise!” Emily exclaimed. I laughed her enthusiasm.
“Hello.” Interjected a deep, husky voice. Both of us turned to face the mystery voice. The new kid was standing tight here in front of me. He locked his eyes on me, they are green! My entire body froze I couldn’t look anywhere else except in his eyes. Emily must’ve noticed because she spoke up right away.
“Hi, you’re new right?” Emily smiled. Boy, do I love her.
“Yeah.” He replied in that deep sexy voice of his. “I’m Adam Marshack.”
“Well welcome to Washington high, or hell high depending on how you see it.” Emily responded.
“It doesn’t look too bad.” He said still staring at me. Another voice joined our conversation before I even had a chance to comment back.
“Hi I’m Taylor Mason,” The voice said. Taylor laid one of her well-manicured hand on Adam’s arm. “I’m head cheerleader and student body president. If you ever need Anything, anything at all I’ll be more than happy to help you out.” She finished winking. I bet my black, high heeled stilettos that there was a double meaning behind those words. I also bet the rest of my allowance, which is five hundred dollars in counting, that Adam knew it too.
“No, actually I already have someone to help me,thanks anyways.” He replied not taking his eyes off of me. I felt my body go stone cold. His eyes were green, a bright hazel green. I was in a trance I couldn’t move.
“Yes, that’s Autumn, the freak.” Taylor sneered. I was finally able to tear my eyes from Adam and glared at Taylor. I opened my mouth to reply, but got interrupted my Mr. Winston. He’s the most evil teacher ever.
“Miss Wood, Miss Sense, I do hope you’re not causing any trouble.” He asked accusingly. I looked up at him and put on my sweetest smile.
“No Mr. Winston, we were just welcoming the new kid.” I explained. “This is Adam Marshack.”
“Very well, go to your seat all of you.” He said quickly. Then he turned to Adam. “You follow me I’ll assign you to your seat.” He turned to us again and noticed we were still standing there.
“Well? What are you waiting for?” He asked. We all scurried to our seat. When I was seated I watched Mr. Winston through narrowed eyes. I had the weirdest though. He was going to sit Adam next to me and crack a joke about my horrible grade in his class. In all truths Mr. Winston just hates me. Then, as if he read my thoughts, he looked up at me with an evil glint in his eyes and he smiled. He actually smiled!
“Well Adam looks like the only seat open is next to Autumn.” He said. He was lying because there’s at least five other empty seats in this class. “Maybe you can help her with her grade in this class.” He sniggered at his own joke which wasn’t funny. At all!
“Damn you stupid teacher!’’ I thought. I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t say anything that got me another week of detention. Adam walked through the isles making his way through the desk until he came to the on right next to mine. When he sat down he turned toward me and flashed one of those sexy crooked smiles. I felt the blush make its way from the back of my neck to my cheeks. I gave him a polite smile then turned my attention back to the teacher. While Mr. Winston rambled about World War II, a pink piece of paper landed on my desk. I smiled and looked at Emily. She made a movement with her hands, waiting for me to open it. I sighed at her impatience and opened the note. It read:
Jeremy and Noah want to know if you want to know
If you want to go to McDonalds after school.
XOXO, Emily.
P.S. The new kid is suuuuuper hot!
I read it again and turned my head slightly. I gave one terse nod and Emily replied with a two thumbs up. I never realized that she could’ve thought I was agreeing with her about the Adam part. After I checked to see if Mr. Winston was looking at me I checked the clock. I slowly counted the hours I had left of school. I let out a sigh, five more hours. At least I get out earlier than most juniors. I looked at Mr. Winston and acted like I was paying attention. Instead of listening to the speech about World War II I thought about Noah. Noah has been my best friend since kindergarten. Everyone thought that Noah and I would end up dating. Truth is Noah is gay. He told me the summer before eighth grade. It was really hard for him, being gay I mean. He was called awful derogatory names. That was where I came in I slapped and screamed at any one who did so. Those were my trouble years; of course my parents never minded they were never home anyways. It got better when we started high school. Noah could finally walk down the hallway without being called “fag” or any other name. We also met Emily and Jeremy that year. Jeremy took an instant liking to Noah, as a brother. Noah took on a crush. There was a problem in this situation, Jeremy isn’t gay. Of course Jeremy eventually found out but he didn’t care they are still as close as before. I sighed thinking about all my friends and how messed up our lives are. Then Mr. Winston’s annoying voice broke through my thoughts.
“Miss Wood, when did the World War II start? He asked.
“Crap!” I thought. I noticed a piece of paper neatly folded on my desk that was never there before. I looked at the paper and read the words out loud.
“World War II started on September 1st, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. However, Japan and China had been fighting since 1937 so some considered the war to have started two years prior to the recorded date. The United States didn’t join the war until December 7th when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Germany surrendered on May 7th, 1945 and Japan surrendered the same year on August 14th.” I finished with a satisfied smile. That smile was soon wiped off my face when I remembered, technically, I wasn’t me who answered the question. I looked up from the note and straight into Mr. Winston’s eyes. His glare was dark and accusing.
“That’s correct Miss Wood. Now start paying attention.” He demanded. I nodded and lowered my gaze. With my gaze still lowered I looked through my eyelashes to see if he turned his attention elsewhere. When I saw only his back, I lifted my head. I turned toward my right and mouthed a “thanks”. I saw Adam smile and shake his head. Another paper landed on my desk this one said:
You’re not paying attention.
I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. I looked at the clock again only one hour had passed.
“Four more to go.” I sighed. I laid my head on my desk and listened to Mr. Winston’s lecture.
“Thank god for half days.” I whispered.